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Temporal Stability and Authenticity of Self-Representations in Adulthood

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Abstract

The temporal stability of role-specific self-representations was examined in a sample of 188 young, middle-aged, and older adults. Considerable stability was observed for all self-representations. Central self-descriptors showed significantly greater temporal stability than peripheral self-descriptors. Temporal stability of self-representations was positively associated with self-concept clarity, self-esteem, and positive affect (PA). Age differences were obtained for three of the five self-representations, with older adults showing significantly lower stabilities for self with family, self with friend, and self with significant other compared to young and middle-aged adults. Assessment of the authenticity of adults’ role-specific self-representations showed that greater authenticity tended to be associated with greater temporal stability. Authenticity and the number of positive daily events were significant positive predictors of the stability of self-representations.

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Notes

  1. Throughout this article, we will use the terms “self-concept” and “self-representation” interchangeably.

  2. For retired older adults we considered the role of volunteer to be equivalent to the role of a colleague/coworker or student.

  3. The detailed instructions for the administration of the IFM are available upon request.

  4. We also performed a control analysis in which we examined interactions between self-concept clarity, self-esteem, authenticity, and positive and negative events. None of the interaction terms reached the .05 level of statistical significance, suggesting that the self-concept variables did not moderate the effects of daily events.

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Acknowledgment

Completion of this article was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging, R55 AG16107-01. Parts of the reported research were included in the master’s theses of Laurie M. Jacobs and Catherine T. Hastings (supervisor: Manfred Diehl).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA

    Manfred Diehl

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

    Laurie M. Jacobs & Catherine T. Hastings

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 508 McCarty Hall C, P.O. Box 115911, Gainesville, FL, 32611-5911, USA

    Manfred Diehl

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  1. Manfred Diehl
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Correspondence to Manfred Diehl.

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Diehl, M., Jacobs, L.M. & Hastings, C.T. Temporal Stability and Authenticity of Self-Representations in Adulthood. J Adult Dev 13, 10–22 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-006-9001-4

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